Rodger Dale Tharp, son of the late Walter and Gladys Tharp, was born on April 25, 1946, in Rochelle, Illinois, and departed this life on April 20, 2022, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 75 years.

Mr. Tharp was a Veteran of the United States Army. He was a former employee of the Essex Special Road District in Essex, Missouri, and a resident of Essex. He enjoyed construction projects, reading and spending time with his family.

On March 8, 1980, in Dexter, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Sue Hughes. Mrs. Tharp survives of their home in Essex.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister, Susan Dowdy of Grayridge, Missouri; by his nephew, Bradley Dowdy; by his aunt and uncle, Maxine and Dallas Brown of Oak Ridge, Missouri; by his cousin, Lavonda Cone of Festus, Missouri; and by four grandchildren, Kaitlyn Jones, Riley Glass, Tyler Tharp, and Alyssa Tharp.

Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his birth mother, Willette Tharp Dowdy; by his brother, Robert Walter Dowdy, and by his sister, Janie Forrister.

No services are currently planned.

Memorials may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38101

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.